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97 legacy Brighton stereo questions
#1
Posted 02 December 2012 - 10:58 AM
I just replaced the climate control unit so I know how to take apart the console and get to the receiver. Unfortunately the new climate control unit has blown bulbs so I will replace those when I open it up for the stereo.
1997 legacy Brighton wagon with manual windows and front door speakers only
Here are my questions:
What size speakers ( 6.5 inch i think) and do they need to be shallow mounts?
Is there anything tricky about replacing the stereo receiver/head unit?
Does anyone know of a good step by step to removing the door panel, especially the window crank?
I have a pair of nice 7 x 10 inch speakers. Can they be fit into the back doors somehow?
Thanks for the help. This site has been keeping my car running and passing inspection for a while now.
#2
Posted 03 December 2012 - 12:45 PM


I find it easier to remove the door panel when the window is down.
As far as speaker depth, your best option is to remove the door panels, put the window down and measure the clearance between the face of the door panel and the window. The window is what will come in contact with the glass. That measurment will be your max speaker depth. If you want more depth, you can try and use speaker spacers, which allow the speakers to come out further, but depending on the door panel, the speakers may hit the door panel.
I think fitting the 7x10's in the rear doors would be a stretch. You'll probably need to stick with 6-1/2" at the most.
#3
Posted 03 December 2012 - 02:53 PM
Removing the crank handle is quite easy and does not require that special tool. Just grab your smallest flat head screwdriver and push the door card in a bit so you can see the clip. Slide the screwdriver into the loop and lever it out. Just be careful not to damage your door card by putting a gouge in it.
One problem I ran into was the window caught my wires and ripped them off the speaker and out of the connectors. Run your wires so they won't come near any moving parts.
#4
Posted 03 December 2012 - 03:39 PM
#5
Posted 03 December 2012 - 06:05 PM
I've also used just a shop rag and kind of fiddled it in behind the window crank and pulled it around until the clip came off, that seemed to work pretty well too. So why did the Legacy Brightons not get rear speakers but the Impreza sedan Brightons did? I feel shortchanged.
If it makes you feel any better my 98 Impreza Brighton wagon has no rear door speakers. It doesn't even have the moulded in plastic grills in the door cards.
#6
Posted 03 December 2012 - 07:00 PM
#7
Posted 04 December 2012 - 08:54 AM
The back doors have a "panel" molded into the door but I'm hoping I can cut out the shape I need with a dremel. I'll have to see whats underneath the door panel to determine if my 7x10s will fit. I'm hoping I can drill whatever holes I need to in the door frame to mount them. I'll try to take some pictures as I go and post them but it may be a week or so since I don't have anything to mount yet.
Thanks again for all the help.
#8
Posted 04 December 2012 - 12:23 PM
To mount 6.5" you'll probably want the factory plastic speaker cups and mounting hardware. Not all aftermarket speakers come with adapters for mounting. The factory cups bring the speakers out 1/4" or so and give some extra clearance between the speaker and window glass and track.
The door panels can be trimmed easily (there is a pattern on the back of the panel) and factory grilles fitted, or just mount grilles included with the speakers.
The hardest part will be getting wires run through the rubber looms that go into the doors. That is, if the wires aren't there already. If they are then lucky you.
#9
Posted 06 December 2012 - 12:30 PM
Looks like my stereo and speaker are coming the 12th so I will update when I have something worth saying.
Also, do I need an install kit for the stereo head unit or should it fit in without? I have an old after market Aiwa stereo in now and I'm hoping to save $20 and reuse the kit if necessary. I did not order one but I'm sure I could grab one at Best Buy or somewhere locally.
Edited by Nbe1210, 06 December 2012 - 03:01 PM.
#10
Posted 06 December 2012 - 06:18 PM
#11
Posted 06 December 2012 - 07:42 PM
#12
Posted 07 December 2012 - 11:34 AM
#13
Posted 09 December 2012 - 02:49 PM
#14
Posted 15 December 2012 - 10:18 AM
https://mail.google....7xo79&safe=1
Inside the door after the install. Does anyone know what the wires up near the mirror are for? Power mirrors or door locks maybe?
The factory speaker was in a harness which I reused. I had to shave the inside of the with a knife as the new speaker didn't fit quite right but all ended well. The pics show the before and after with the stock and the new speaker.
https://mail.google....7xnh5&safe=1
https://mail.google....7xnm6&safe=1
https://mail.google....7xnz8&safe=1
This is the new speaker in the factory harness (harness is probably not the right word)
I also installed the head unit under the pocket as was suggested and it works well. I can reach it with the cup holder out and rest my hand comfortably on the shifter. Thanks for the tip.
https://mail.google....xoc10&safe=1
And my bored dog
https://mail.google....7xnt7&safe=1
Thanks for all the tips. It was all very easy.
#15
Posted 16 December 2012 - 02:49 AM
Power mirror wiring has like 3 or 4 wires in the harness with a white (i think) 4 pin connector.
#16
Posted 19 December 2012 - 01:35 PM
#17
Posted 19 December 2012 - 06:09 PM
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